Britain's What's On Event Guide
Boswell Book Festival
The Boswell Book Festival is a hybrid festival held 9-11 May 2025 at historic Dumfries House.
At the heart of the programme are the stories behind the inspirational lives of people past and present - told through talks, art and music.
With 44 events presented both live and streamed online for those unable to reach the venue in person, 2025 speakers include Pam Ayres, Rupert Everett, Andrew O'Hagan, Wayne Sleep, Chloe Dalton and Dom Joly.
Tours of nearby Auchinleck House, home of James Boswell, are available on Saturday and Sunday morning.
The Boswell Children's Festival offers a comprehensive series of 12 talks from leading children’s authors such as Vivian French, DAlan Dapre and Kate Leiper. Outside the venues, exciting interactive events combine to make a rich and stimulating programme.
Cafes, restaurants, bookshops, signings, house tours, workshops and satellite events combine to create a weekend with universal appeal offering a unique opportunity for readers to engage with
authors and ideas.
At the heart of the programme are the stories behind the inspirational lives of people past and present - told through talks, art and music.
With 44 events presented both live and streamed online for those unable to reach the venue in person, 2025 speakers include Pam Ayres, Rupert Everett, Andrew O'Hagan, Wayne Sleep, Chloe Dalton and Dom Joly.
Tours of nearby Auchinleck House, home of James Boswell, are available on Saturday and Sunday morning.
The Boswell Children's Festival offers a comprehensive series of 12 talks from leading children’s authors such as Vivian French, DAlan Dapre and Kate Leiper. Outside the venues, exciting interactive events combine to make a rich and stimulating programme.
Cafes, restaurants, bookshops, signings, house tours, workshops and satellite events combine to create a weekend with universal appeal offering a unique opportunity for readers to engage with
authors and ideas.
Fri 9 May, Sun 11 May
Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire KA19 2NJ
17:00 Friday May 9 to 18:30 Sunday 11 MayDumfries House, Ayrshire KA18 2NJ
Prices from £7
Children's Festival May 10&11 10:00 to 15:15
Engineering Centre, Dumfries House, KA18 2NJ
Children's prices from £2 with KA18 postcode discount
Spread the word